I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me - Daily Bible Readings September 24,2015

1ST READING   Haggai prophesied at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. We have already read this before, in Ezra. Haggai was horrified at the peoples’ unwillingness to do the rebuilding project of Ezra. Nehemiah prophesied accordingly. The people became too concerned about their comfort and did not want to make sacrifices to get the Temple and Jerusalem rebuilt.   Haggai 1:1-8 1 On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak. 2 Thus says the Lord of hosts, “This people says: ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” 3 (Then this word of the Lord came through Haggai, the prophet: 4 “Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” 5 Now thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! 6 You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; you have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed; and whoever earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it.” 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! 8 Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house that I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the Lord.”   P S A L M   Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9 R: The Lord takes delight in his people. 1 Sing to the Lord a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2 Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king. (R) 3 Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory. (R) 5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; 6 let the high praises of God be in their throats. 9 This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia. (R)   GOSPEL     Herod had John beheaded, a man whom he knew had done no wrong. Then Herod became interested in the words of Jesus, just as he was interested in the words of John before Him. Herod was weak and acted according to the whims of the crowd. This was what drew his attention to Jesus in the first place. He heard people talking as if John had been raised from the dead. Herod got his wish when the time came for the Passion of Jesus.     GOSPEL ACCLAMATION I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.   Luke 9:7-9 7 Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; 8 others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” 9 But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.   think: Herod was weak and acted according to the whims of the crowd. Unlike him, let us ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance and find strength in His wisdom.   T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST Thank You Lord for: __________________   ____________________________________   God’s special verse/thought for me today_ _____________________________________   READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 146-150